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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Nickels and Chief Kerlikowske Introduce the Aggressive Drivers Response Team
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/4/2007 10:45:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeff Kappel (206) 684-5520
Police Media Relations (206) 684-5520
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Mayor Nickels and Chief Kerlikowske
Introduce the Aggressive Drivers Response Team
SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels and Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske today announced the formation of a special traffic unit that will target aggressive and dangerous drivers on Seattle streets.
The goal of the ten-member Aggressive Drivers Response Team (ADRT) is to improve pedestrian and driver safety across the city.
“Every year, innocent pedestrians and drivers are hurt or killed in tragic and preventable accidents due to aggressive drivers,” Nickels said. “These thoughtless drivers can turn cars into lethal weapons. When that happens, this new unit will turn the tables on them.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about one-third of all crashes and about two-thirds of the resulting fatalities can be attributed to aggressive driving. Hallmarks of aggressive driving includes excessive speed, frequent or unsafe lane changes, tailgating, disregarding traffic control devices, cutting off other drivers, obscene hand gestures as well as making threats or yelling profanities.
All of the members of the ADRT squad were selected from the Traffic Unit and are extensively trained in emergency vehicle operation. They will work as a team and target areas that are known for aggressive driving such as the West Seattle Bridge, SW Admiral Way, Highway 99, West and East Marginal Way and Rainier Avenue South. They will also work chronic community traffic complaints, school zone violations and conduct pedestrian emphasis. The officers will be driving the latest addition to the Seattle Police Department fleet, the 2007 Dodge Charger. The Charger will be equipped with digital video cameras that are integrated with an on board mobile data computer. The vehicles will also carry PowerFlares, a ‘green’ alternative to traditional incendiary flares. PowerFlares, produced by Bowhead Environmental and Safety, contain no hazardous chemicals and do not emit noxious smoke and toxic fumes.
“The Aggressive Drivers Response Team is one part of a multifaceted approach to tackling the serious problem of road rage. It will send a clear message to those who disregard the traffic laws and place law abiding drivers and pedestrians in harm’s way,” said Chief Gil Kerlikowske.
Clear Channel will be producing a billboard campaign in four different locations to support the introduction of the new squad.
As part of a collaborative effort with Seattle Department of Transportation, the Seattle Police Department will continue to work traffic emphasis in conjunction with the Rainier Avenue Corridor Project. In April of 2006, the City partnered with state, county and Seattle citizens to identify problems and solutions with the goal of decreasing fatal and disabling collisions. Since that time, SDOT has implemented numerous projects with more planned for the coming year. Today, they unveiled a billboard campaign aimed at educating drivers in the Rainier Avenue Corridor of the hazards of disregarding traffic laws.
For more information on traffic statistics, road rage and aggressive driving, log onto the NHTSA website at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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